Does anyone know how to get confirmed that your ocd is a disability? Can I go to a psychologist or does it have to be a psychiatrist?

Therapist note not kite lol

ClaraRose, what country are you in? Do you need this disability label for work, or for school? I can try to help you if you are in the US. I know a great deal about some of the laws that regulate disability in the US school system.

I am not a lawyer or a teacher though, just someone who has extensively studied special ed law. A service dog might take a while and a lot of money to train unless you already have a dog identified. While you are working on the dog, you could certainly make progress on asking your school district for any other accommodations you need, though.

Hi! Thanks for the additional info ClaraRose. I get what you mean. I’m not so sure of all the details here. You could see if your school has a handbook for what counts as a disability under IDEA 2004 and what people are qualified to diagnose someone w/a disability under IEP protocol. Have you talked to anyone already about getting you an IEP or 504 plan for OCD or any other diagnosis? You might try finding a support group for people who have gotten PSD’s in high school and they might be able to provide you with more specific info.

I think it is dictated by the law but in practical terms it depends on how your school interprets the law.

ClaraRose, it may be best to check with your school for what they will need. I would advise preparing yourself with a diagnosis in writing from your therapist and/or psychiatrist. Licensed therapists are not medical doctors like psychiatrists, but they are legally allowed and more than able to diagnose mental illness. They just can not prescribe meds like psychiatrists.

Thanks! I will definitely try to keep you updated with what happens

You have to use a disability lawyer OCD is the 10th leading cause of disability according to the world health organization how does your YBOCS test. If you get disability work part time for theriputic gain keep plugging along

It might depend on your country. In the U.S, Therapists are able to formally diagnose. It depends on your workplace. Some more carefree workplaces may take you at your word. Others may require a doctor or therapist kite. I don’t think you necessarily need to use a lawyer unless your job is refusing to honor your disability. I am speaking strictly about the U.S as I am not familiar with other countries’ policies

SunflowerGirl, i live in the usa and i am in high school. I have researched a lot about service animals for a long time and I believe that I can benefit from one but I would have to be confirmed to have a disability first

Okay thanks ClaraRose that is helpful. Do you go to a public HS or private HS? What state (if you are comfortable telling me)? Do you have any other diagnoses? Do you know what kind of dog you want to qualify for - emotional support animal (ESA) or a different type?

ClaraRose, you would probably have to first get diagnosed with OCD and then successfully convince your school district that your OCD qualifies as the kind of disability that they are mandated by law to provide you accommodations for and/or a “free and appropriate education” (FAPE). I believe that the 2004 reauthorization of a law called IDEA mandates this. Under IDEA there are 13 categories of disabilities...

... which it covers. One category is emotional disabilities. Try googling if there is any protocol for OCD counting as an emotional disability. I will be happy to help further as best I can.

SunflowerGirl, i go to a public hs. I wouldn’t want an esa because I need the animal to perform tasks, (interrupting compulsions, interrupting skin picking, and doing dpt) so it would be a psychiatric service dog. But could I just have my therapist confirm that it’s a disability? She is a psychologist, but if not, could a psychiatrist confirm that the ocd is a disability?

SunflowerGirl, I didn’t think that a disability matters by what the school says. I thought that it matters by the ada laws

Yep. The school can’t ignore that OCD is a condition covered under the ada. However they can choose how strict they can be in making you prove that. A therapist or psychiatrist note would probably do the trick.

SunflowerGirl, so just in general, I could go to my therapist to be confirmed to have a disability?

Clara you definitely need documentation from some sort of medical professional. Not sure off the top of my head who the person has to be - therapist, psychiatrist, MD, etc. Can you look up rules for your state?

Okay thank you

Go to youtube and type Anthony reeves esq disability lawyer he is real knowslegable on mental health disability.

I agree with Francis that you will need to be prepared with written documentation before you start asking your school for accommodations. Best of luck. Keep us updated.